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University of Houston cornerback Marcus Jones paid a visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday as one of the top 30 pre-draft visits the team is allowed to conduct. Jones is an electrifying return specialist and despite his slight stature, has played well as a slot cornerback at two collegiate stops. He is small for a cornerback at 5 foot 8 and 185 pounds, but the Steelers may be targeting him to boost the return game, which is a little surprising considering the recent signing of All-Pro kick returner Gunner Olszewski to replace Ray-Ray McCloud.
Jones began his career at Troy and earned the Sunbelt Freshmen of the Year honors and Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference as a return specialist. His sophomore campaign saw him elevate to First Team All-Conference as a returner and Second Team All-Conference as a cornerback. His career at Sun Belt powerhouse Troy was coming along nicely, but he elected to enter the transfer portal. After redshirting for one season, he joined the Houston Cougars. Jones again found a home as a junior at Houston as the nation’s leading punt returner. He was named First Team All-American Conference return specialist. In 2021, he returned a kickoff for 100 yards with 17 seconds left to defeat 19th ranked SMU, 44-37. His senior season saw him win the All-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference as a returner. Despite being named an AP All-American First Team defensive back, he only managed Second Team All-Conference as a defensive back. He won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player.
Houston CB Marcus Jones intercepts Navy – PHOTO/HOUSTON CHRONICAL
Jones spent four years as an electrifying return specialist. He is recovering from a shoulder injury and did not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last month or his Pro Day. However, his tape shows that he is shifty, quick and has phenomenal acceleration. He has good coverage instincts and despite his size, his elite speed allows him to get exceptional jumps on pass routes. He has great hands and with his return ability can convert interceptions into touchdowns. Despite his size, he is a good tackler who takes good angles on running plays.
There is no getting around this fact, he is short. At 5 foot 8 inches, smart quarterbacks will attempt to exploit the size matchups when he is matched up man to man with jump balls and he will routinely give up 3-6 inches in height to wide receivers. He is overly aggressive to compensate with his hands down the field and may draw frequent pass interference calls as a result early in his career. He also has shown that he is susceptible to double moves. He did sit out a year when he transferred so at 24, he is also older than your typical rookie.
If Marcus Jones were being judged strictly as a cornerback, he would probably be a late 6th or early 7th round draft pick. However, he is the best kick/punt returner in the draft. That status along with the potential to become a solid nickel or dime corner will cause him to go much higher and I believe he will go as high as middle to late 3rd round, or likely in the 4th round.
The Steelers used free agency to bring in the First Team All-Pro returner in the NFL, Gunner Olszewski on a 2-year contract. Jones’ versatility is intriguing, and you can never have too much speed. Jones could become the kick returner while Olszewski could handle the punt return duties, giving the Steelers potentially the best special teams unit in the NFL. The Steelers do play a lot of zone coverage and Jones could fit in the dime zone packages, where experienced QB’s may have a harder time picking on him with jump balls to big receivers.
The strength of his game seems like a luxury item at this point with notable holes to fill in the defensive backfield and wide receiver room. However, if he slips to the 4th round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they may not be able to resist his unique skills.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter or Instagram @thebubbasq.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Jones began his career at Troy and earned the Sunbelt Freshmen of the Year honors and Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference as a return specialist. His sophomore campaign saw him elevate to First Team All-Conference as a returner and Second Team All-Conference as a cornerback. His career at Sun Belt powerhouse Troy was coming along nicely, but he elected to enter the transfer portal. After redshirting for one season, he joined the Houston Cougars. Jones again found a home as a junior at Houston as the nation’s leading punt returner. He was named First Team All-American Conference return specialist. In 2021, he returned a kickoff for 100 yards with 17 seconds left to defeat 19th ranked SMU, 44-37. His senior season saw him win the All-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference as a returner. Despite being named an AP All-American First Team defensive back, he only managed Second Team All-Conference as a defensive back. He won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player.
Houston CB Marcus Jones intercepts Navy – PHOTO/HOUSTON CHRONICAL
Strengths
Jones spent four years as an electrifying return specialist. He is recovering from a shoulder injury and did not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last month or his Pro Day. However, his tape shows that he is shifty, quick and has phenomenal acceleration. He has good coverage instincts and despite his size, his elite speed allows him to get exceptional jumps on pass routes. He has great hands and with his return ability can convert interceptions into touchdowns. Despite his size, he is a good tackler who takes good angles on running plays.
Weaknesses
There is no getting around this fact, he is short. At 5 foot 8 inches, smart quarterbacks will attempt to exploit the size matchups when he is matched up man to man with jump balls and he will routinely give up 3-6 inches in height to wide receivers. He is overly aggressive to compensate with his hands down the field and may draw frequent pass interference calls as a result early in his career. He also has shown that he is susceptible to double moves. He did sit out a year when he transferred so at 24, he is also older than your typical rookie.
Projection: Pick Range 80 to 110
If Marcus Jones were being judged strictly as a cornerback, he would probably be a late 6th or early 7th round draft pick. However, he is the best kick/punt returner in the draft. That status along with the potential to become a solid nickel or dime corner will cause him to go much higher and I believe he will go as high as middle to late 3rd round, or likely in the 4th round.
Bottom Line for Steelers
The Steelers used free agency to bring in the First Team All-Pro returner in the NFL, Gunner Olszewski on a 2-year contract. Jones’ versatility is intriguing, and you can never have too much speed. Jones could become the kick returner while Olszewski could handle the punt return duties, giving the Steelers potentially the best special teams unit in the NFL. The Steelers do play a lot of zone coverage and Jones could fit in the dime zone packages, where experienced QB’s may have a harder time picking on him with jump balls to big receivers.
The strength of his game seems like a luxury item at this point with notable holes to fill in the defensive backfield and wide receiver room. However, if he slips to the 4th round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they may not be able to resist his unique skills.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter or Instagram @thebubbasq.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
